The view from Left field, politics, entertainment, argument and insight into my world. For Socialism, peace and justice, against racism, sexism, sectarianism, nationalism and discrimination. Avanti Poplo!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

FREDDIE FORSYTH DIDN'T WRITE THIS, HONESTLY.

Even the old reactionary fantasist couldn't have made up the story of "the toff mercenary, the Prime Minister's son, the failed coup and the black black oil" it is certain to become a movie.

The mercenary Simon Mann 'Ex Eton and SAS' stated that Sir Mark Thatcher was up to his neck in it and part of the “management team” plotting a 2004 coup in the tiny West African nation.Sir Mark in true Etonian and Tory style has denied any knowledge of the conspiracy, he has predictably ratted on his former chums.

Mr Mann admits being involved in plans to overthrow the President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo but he claims he was merely a tool in a plot by more senior figures.The Equatoguinean President said that if Mann sings then he could get leniency so my money is on Thatcher getting the same treatment as he gave Mann, am I enjoying this ?The Equatoguineans have issued a warrant for Sir Mark (son of Thatcher) who is believed to be hiding somewhere in Spain like a cornered rat apparently in a secure compound.They also want the extradition of Sir Mark and Mr Calil another millionaire backer, to face trial in Malabo.

Mr. Calil, Mr. Mann and the rest of them should rot in Jail, these are privileged people who believe that the law applies to others not the rich and powerful, they deserve everything they get.

This is how Mark Thatcher (son of) was described in court, he was “known as a dirty player who lives his life getting himself involved in all sorts of dubious deals that are of benefit to himself . . . Mark Thatcher quickly jumped into this boat and became part and parcel of this plot”Still, as Mann was heard to say "It was bloody good fun"

There should be lots more entertainment to come in this with so many back stabbing liars and upper class twits involved.

44 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Terry,

Agree that in this day and age, we can't have adventurers going around conquering foreign lands and taking the booty.

Having said that, the "Equitoguinean" President is one of the most evil and depraved tyrants in sub-Saharan Africa - he is rumoured to eat the testicles of his opponents - something you failed to mention in your report. The average EQ peasant probably doesn't care whether their oil reserves are stolen by a Black dictator or the White man. They might even prefer the possibility that Thatcher and his dodgy chums would replace the President with somebody a bit more humane, if not democratic.

The situation Simon Mann finds himself in is not a comic one, unless you gain amusment from reports like this:

"Most of the people arrested because of alleged links with the FDR were tortured in pre-trial incommunicado detention to force them to make statements incriminating themselves and others in the alleged coup. Many of them were tied up with rope and hung from a bar in a position that meant that the bones in their forearms, and in some cases their legs, eventually broke. They were also beaten, some severely with sticks and whips. They were blindfolded for prolonged periods.

The torture and ill-treatment of the detainees continued during the trial. Some of the defendants who told the court they wished to retract earlier statements were subsequently tortured in prison, apparently in reprisal.

The wives of two prisoners who took food to their husbands were also beaten and tortured and one of them was raped by several soldiers, according to a statement made in court by her husband."

http://archive.amnesty.org/report2003/gnq-summary-eng

Mann might have just been after money/power, but I for one would have cheered if he succeded.

I did not comment on the country concerned, or it’s president or anyone’s colour I just pointed out that these people are the lowest of the low and some people see them as adventurers. I hope they rot.

"I did not comment on the country concerned, or it’s president or anyone’s colour I just pointed out that these people are the lowest of the low and some people see them as adventurers. I hope they rot."

Yet you fail to condemn the human rights record of the President of Equitorial Guinea. Do you hope he rots too?

Is Retired Brig. Gen. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. mates with your beloved Fidel & Nelson - as you say: Let him who has no sin cast the first stone.

According to AI, there is no conclusive evidence that a coup was even attempted. Mann was arrested on the strength of some pretty spurious charges (walking on the cracks in the pavement or something)in Zimbabwe by Mad Bob's goons and deported to EG.

I'm curious as to your lamentation of a few days ago, bleating about human righs, vis a vis the 42 days farrago. So am I to take it that you only advocate human rights and the presumption of innocence for people you like? I think one thing we've both agreed on in the past is that evidence gained under torture is worthless. I take it we no longer agree on this, at least if the accused is the son of Maggie The War Criminal?

“Yet you fail to condemn the human rights record of the President of Equitorial Guinea. Do you hope he rots too”

Like the overwhelming majority of people on the planet I couldn’t have told you who Brig. Gen. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was until this farce started and, also like them I couldn’t have told you where it was.

Maybe you’ve got something here Bob, maybe it never happened. I wonder if the BBC, Fox News, CNN, ITV, TV and Radio stations all over the world and Newspapers all over the world as well have thought about your brainwave. We don’t deserve you !

I think you have a problem with written comprehension. The coup plot is "alleged" there is no concrete evidence other than hearsay and a confession obtained under torture that such a plot was ever conceived. I suggest you read the AI report.

Are you now saying that evidence gained by torture should be used to convict? I seem to remember you railing against the US authorities for the use of waterboarding not so long ago. Which is it Councillor? You can't have it both ways.

Are Osama Bin Laden and his ilk just another band of mischievious adventurers?

I don't recall mentioning Mark Thatcher being tortured. I'm not even sure if Mann was. However, if you'd taken the trouble to actually read what I said, I talked of evidence gained under torture. The evidence, that is, which led to warrants being issued against Thatcher, Mann and others. I'm fairly sure that you'd be damned concerned if it was someone you liked being left to the vagaries of a vicious regime, and I'd agree with you. You seem to suspend your zeal for human rights and the pursuit of justice when the victim is someone you don't like. Hardly humanitarian, is it?

Cllr,I find Thatcher and co as loathsome as you do and would love to see them brought to justice but I cannot support torture no matter how repulsive the recipient.

Barlinnie is full of people who'd maim and kill for a few quid. Gangsters who'd do just about anything for money. Rapists who refuse to contain their worst instincts but despite this I'd still be up and arms if they were tortured and believe they should be treated humanely.

Sometimes it's the most unsympathetic characters that are the greatest test of our humanity.

You should tell that to a) The native Canadian Indian b) The native Australian Aborigine c) The native New Zealand Maori and d) the Jamaicans who have been murdered, they regularly come in the top three for murder rates in the world and I believe they came top last year.

India ? They have a history of bloodshed, squalor, and poverty second to none.

Links

I represent Ward 4 Paisley North West. I'm a Socialist who believes in equality, peace and the redistribution of wealth, I opposeRacism, Sexism, Sectarianism, Nationalism and any kind of discrimination. Best wishes for a Socialist future.What appears on this website are my personal views and opinions. Not those of the Labour Party, Renfrewshire Council or anyone else, mine only.

Readers will note the contradiction of having Amazon books here and the more ethical Housman's books above. I have decided to keep it here and continue to pass the renumeration from them to a good Socialist cause.